BRISBANE Lions coach Justin Leppitsch hopes his bad luck has ended, as he tries to manufacture a forward line for Sunday's match against St Kilda. 

Teenage talent Dan McStay (finger) is the latest casualty in a seemingly cursed Lions forward line, which will almost certainly rely on a combination of youngsters, midfielders and ruckmen against the Saints. 

Aside from McStay, Michael Close (knee), Jonathan Freeman (ankle), Brent Staker (hamstring), Jackson Paine (ankle) and Luke McGuane (knee) are all sidelined, leaving Leppitsch with limited options for key targets. 

But the Lions coach is philosophical about the dilemma.

"It is like that at times, you think the footy gods are against you, but it all turns around," Leppitsch said on Thursday morning.

"It's just our turn at the moment.

"I'm hoping my luck all builds up for the one time and I can bottle it all up and use it for one finals series."

Leppitsch hinted that impressive youngster Harris Andrews, who has played six games this year, might move forward after some strong showings in defence in recent weeks. 

Lively half-back Ryan Harwood is also an option to return, causing a further reshuffle.

Dayne Beams (123 career goals), Josh Green (87), Daniel Rich (74), Dayne Zorko (65) and Allen Christensen (64) are the leading goalkickers of the remaining fit players. 

With so few tall forwards, ruckman Matthew Leuenberger will most likely be the primary key target in his 100^th game for the Lions.

It has taken the likable West Australian nine seasons to reach the milestone, and Leppitsch said it was a testament to the ruckman's character and perseverance. 

"It's been a long run for him to get to 100 games," Leppitsch said.

"The perseverance is the thing, particularly when you've had a lot of injuries in your career, it can be a frustrating time.

"We're just hoping his second hundred can fly by, because unfortunately his first hundred haven't.

"This year he's been relatively injury free and hopefully he can have a big second part of his career."